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Prince Rainier breathing through a respirator

MONACO - Prince Rainier III was suffering from heart and kidney failure and breathing through a respirator Wednesday as residents of this Riviera enclave braced for what many feared could be his final days.

An update from the palace described the 81-year-old prince's condition as stable a day after he was moved into intensive care at Monaco's Cardio-Thoracic Center.

The prince was hospitalized more than two weeks ago with a chest infection. After a marked improvement, his health worsened.

A palace statement Wednesday said Rainier was transferred to the intensive care unit after developing a sudden respiratory infection "with cardiac and kidney failure."

"Breathing difficulties made the installation of artificial respiration indispensable," the statement said.

Outside the hospital, life continued as normal. Some residents watched the palace - and its flagpole - for signs.

"While the flag is still up, we know he's still alive and all is well," said Sandrine Negre, 22. "All Monegasques are watching that flag."

Rainier, who assumed the throne in 1949, is revered by his subjects for having transformed Monaco - which is smaller than New York City's Central Park - into a modern and elegant resort that is a magnet for jetsetters.

"This country is Prince Rainier," said Patricia Vermeulen, a 53-year-old retired teacher who lives near the palace. "This fabulous adventure that is Monaco, he created it."

Speaking his name brought tears to her eyes.

"We've known about his bad health for a long time. But each new time I feel the deepest sadness, as if it were my father," said Vermeulen. "It's like a knife in my heart each time."

Crown Prince Albert, 47 - Rainier's heir - returned from abroad Tuesday to visit his father, as did Princess Caroline, 48. Princess Stephanie, 40, was seen entering and leaving the hospital.

In 2002, the constitution was revised to allow Albert to succeed his father, despite his lack of heirs.

Archbishop Bernard Barsi of Monaco visited the hospital Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the Rev. Philippe Blanc was seen entering the clinic.

The visits were a somber note to what has been a high-flying lifestyle for the Grimaldi family and their playground for the rich that has become synonymous with casinos, Formula One races and tax breaks.

Infections can bring on congestive heart failure, which can lower blood pressure and ultimately lead to kidney failure. Heart failure also depresses the respiratory system, making breathing difficult.

Doctors often use respirators and dialysis machines to lighten the workload of the body while healing from an infection. Once the infection is cleared, the machines can be disconnected and the body can resume its normal function, said Dr. James Underberg of the New York University Medical Center.

However, respiratory infections in the elderly can be dangerous and deadly, Underberg said.

[Last modified March 24, 2005, 01:21:06]